Eosinophilic esophagitis in Southern California was studied using data from members of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. This was was the first population based study to evaluate Eosinophilic esophagitis epidemiology representative of the community it serves. This study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Practice, November/December 2015. Eosinophilic esophagitis has been reported to affect more men than woman, more adults than children, and more white individuals than those from minority backgrounds. Eosinophilic esophagitis in Southern California was studied using 14 medical Kaiser centers located in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Kern, Riverside and Ventura counties.
Eosinophilic esophagitis was diagnosed in 1,500 of 3.5 million patients. Approximately 1300 adults and 200 children. Males were higher than females and the age did not matter. Overall, whites had a significantly higher prevalence among blacks, Asians and Hispanics.
Eosinophilic esophagitis was 4 times more common from households with higher annual income than in those from the lowest.
Overall Eosinophilic esophagitis in Southern California was observed in adults (86%) compared to children (14%). Eosinophilic esophagitis was 2.1 times more frequently in men than in women.
We previously discussed Eosinophilic Esophagitis extensively in a previous blog http://allergylosangeles.com/allergy-blog/eosinophilic-esophagitis-eoe/
Another study published in the same journal looked at the management of refractory Eosinophilic esophagitis. They found through a combination of diet therapy and/or topical steroids in Eosinophilic esophagitis can achieve remission of their disease. Milk, egg and wheat were the 3 most common food triggers identified. Histological remission was defined as less than 10 eosinophils/hpf. Other foods identified in the study were beef, corn, soy, seafood, nuts, rice and beans. Sometimes a second attempt in diet elimination was needed in patients to achieve remission. Many patients who attempted it the first time were not able to follow the diet because of its severe restriction. A more limited diet restriction with less foods can be more productive in some patients. The topical corticosteroids used were fluticasone 110-220, 2 puffs twice a day or viscous budesonide, 1-6 mg/day in single or divided dosages. This is similar to the treatment we discussed in a previous post http://allergylosangeles.com/allergy-blog/eosinophilic-esophagitis-treatment-options/
If all of this fails, there are future possible treatment options on the horizon http://allergylosangeles.com/allergy-blog/cinquil-reslizumab-for-eosinophil-disorders/
If you have been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis, your gastroenterologist should work together with your allergist to find the best treatment options for you.